Daily Republican

A Reprieve for Peak

MOUNT HOLLY, N. J., July 29.—The writ of error asked for last Saturday by Lawyer S. K. Robbins, of Camden, counsel for Barclay Peak, the condemned murderer of Katie Anderson, has been allowed by Chancellor McGill, who notified Mr. Robbins of his action this morning. This now removes Peak's case to the Supreme Court at its November term for review, and necessarily postpones Peak's execution he having been sentenced to be hung on September 1.
In case the Supreme Court decides against Peak, the case will go to the Court of Errors and Appeals, and will go from there, in case the decision is unfavorable, to the Board of Pardons as a last resort. Appeals will occupy considerable time, so that Peak's respite if the last resort fails, will be at least for four months.
The fact of the granting of the writ, when told to Peak, was received as an expected occurrence. The young man showed but little excitement under the circumstances. In the case of his relatives, however, it was otherwise. Their joy could not have been more expressive if their son and brother had received a discharge from the jail in which he has been confined since the occurrence. The granting of the writ is looked upon by the friends of Peak as an omen of good, and all are now working with renewed vigor, and are greatly encouraged. They declare that in the Supreme Court the unhappy youth will have a much better chance than in the court here, where the jury men were badgered by stories from outside parties.